Chapter Fourteen
"Hey, Luke! Hey! It's...uh, me! Like you couldn't see that. But how come you didn't tell us you were leaving? I mean, it was really abrupt. I just...well, we thought you didn't make it. I, uh, I'd really like to see you, soon. Very soon. So just send a message back through this line of communication, I guess. Hope to see you soon."
It didn't sound right. It sounded forced and uncomfortable. Which was how she felt talking to a holochip and pretending it was Luke. She sighed. It was probably the best she was going to get, so she took it up to Glynn and he helped her seal it with a few questions about Luke's life.
"This all reminds me so much of Tatooine. I never in a million years thought I'd miss Tatooine."
"You lived there your whole life, of course you'd miss it. Besides, I don't think you miss the planet as much as you do the people on it."
"I guess. It's just...Tatooine! Possibly the dullest place in the entire galaxy. I can't believe I miss that chunk of rock. I mean, for as long as I can remember I've wanted to run away to somewhere interesting, like Coruscant, or Corellia, and now that I'm out, in space, traveling the galaxy, well...it's just not like I expected, really."
"Fantasies rarely are. Space travel is generally not glamorous, or even fun. It's mostly sitting around and trying to entertain yourself while you remain isolated from the greater part of the galaxy. Especially in a little dinker like this. Wars can be declared, fought, and lost in the time it takes for this bucket to get from Coruscant to anywhere on the Outer Rim."
"Well, you just took the shine off my dream life."
"Yeah, I kind thought so." He paused. "So, anyways, I guess I'll be taking this holo chip to the 'Parsnil Dancer's Cantina' first thing in the morning."
"Right...look, Glynn, I just wanted you to know that I meant what I said earlier, about you being so great to me. Thanks. It's been kind of rough, but I know I wouldn't have made it this far without you. You're...probably the greatest friend I've ever had."
He reacted oddly, at first looking slightly disappointed, but quickly masking it with something like appreciation. "Thanks. And really, you're welcome. I mean, I just do it because I want to. For you."
"Well, I don't know why you put up with me. I mean, I'm paying quite a bit, but I didn't think it was that much."
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"Saera, I just delivered the chip. You've gotta make a decision soon."
"I know, I know. I just...it's so hard." She plopped into a chair in the rec room/dining room.
"Well, why exactly do you have this burning desire to see him?"
"I thought it was obvious. I..." she took a deep breath "...love him." It felt so strange to say that to another person. She'd never admitted it to anyone but herself. Except her father, of course, but that was different...
"Well, why so much? I mean, you haven't talked to him for a while. People can fall out of love. He could be out of love with you."
"He was never in love with me OK? I mean, not that I know. Great, now I have to tell you. Here goes...
"I've loved Luke...well, all my life. But I never told him. And then, for some reason, he left. It must have been because of what happened to Beru and Owen. They were his aunt and uncle, his only family in the galaxy, or at least the outer rim. They were killed, the house burned down, by sand people.
"So, he left, and everyone thought he was dead in the fire. I was...destroyed. And my father was insensitive, saying 'they were only poor, silly people' and acting like they didn't matter. I couldn't take it; I had to get away. I was going to live on Coruscant, live my dream life. I got to Mos Eisley, and, well, you know the rest."
He looked kind of surprised. "That's it? That's your 'epic romance' with Luke Skywalker? A schoolgirl obsession? I thought you were engaged to be married or something!"
"You are horrible. I just told you about the single most important person in my life, and, and...you made fun of it! Again! That's exactly what my father did! I hate you!"
"Hey, hey." He moved across the room and pulled her into a hug. She resisted, but not very much. "I'm sorry. I was just kidding."
"It wasn't very funny," she said into his chest.
"I know, I'm sorry. I don't even know why I said that. I wish I hadn't. It wasn't me."
"Yeah, I know." It was strange how comforted she always felt when he wrapped his arms around her. "But Luke is...special. I just really care about him." She felt him stiffen somewhat.
"Well, I guess that's why you're here, to find him." His words were obviously trying to sound soothing, or even just stating a fact, but here was a hint of something Saera couldn't quite put her finger on. Almost...sadness.
Why would he care if I love Luke or not? I thought he knew that, it's the only reason I'm here with him. Why would he be sad that I care about him?
No way. There's no way that could be true!
She pulled away from him and he looked at her concerned. But there was so much else in his eyes...
"What..."
"What's wrong?" His eyes were so caring, she felt like she wanted to cry. Instead, she pushed away from him, gasping out a sorry, and fled the room.
He came after her, knocking on her door to ask if she was OK, but left after a few minutes.
Why in the stars would he feel that way about me? I'm just a little kid! He's said it so many times before. And he's told me that it's all physical! I'm just a piece of eye-candy for him. Oh, I hope it's just my mind, playing tricks on me...
But somehow, it made her own attraction to Glynn seem a little less evil. And then it seemed a whole lot more. And then she just couldn't tell. It was like someone had gotten a big ladle and swirled her insides around, including her brain. She went to the fresher, held her head above the toilet for a few minutes, and then got a cup of water, which cleared her head a little.
I'm wrong. I'm completely wrong and I'm misinterpreting the entire situation. It's not like I'm an expert at this type of stuff.
You could just ask him...
No you can't! How would you ever be able to do that?
Just ignore it and hope it goes away, then.
Yes, ignore it. Because it was never there to begin with.
No, never there...
Oh, Gods, help me!
Freetrader - Yay for dancing:) Thanks for dancing, too. I really did mean to get that chapter up earlier, I just got...sidetracked.